Memorable reactions from the State of the Union | CNN Politics

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House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rips up her copy of President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech after he finished on Tuesday, February 4.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi rips up her copy of President Donald Trump's State of the Union speech after he finished on Tuesday, February 4.
Patrick Semansky/AP
Politics

In photos: Memorable reactions from the State of the Union

Updated 9:26 AM EST, Wed February 5, 2020
Link Copied!

President Donald Trump delivered his third State of the Union address on Tuesday night, speaking from the very chamber where the Democratic-controlled House made him just the third US president in history to be impeached.

And from start to finish, you could feel the tension in the room between the President and the Democrats.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, sitting behind the President, stretched out her hand to shake his before the speech. He didn't take it.

Democrats in the audience frequently voiced their displeasure with the President during his speech, and there was more than the usual amount of remaining seated when Republicans applauded.

As the President boasted about welfare stats, Democrats were heard objecting. Republicans howled in support.

A chorus of Democrats yelled out "you" when Trump said that some are trying to destroy health care. Democrats also groaned loudly when Trump mentioned illegal aliens.

Democrats could be heard laughing when the President said he was taking on big pharmaceutical companies. As Trump riffed on the subject, a crowd of Democrats started chanting "HR3," referencing the Democratic health care bill to lower drug prices.

Perhaps the most visible Democratic protest came at the end. After Trump finished his speech, Pelosi took her printed copy and ripped it up for everyone to see.

House impeachment managers -— from left, Reps. Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler and Zoe Lofgren — sit together during the speech.
House impeachment managers -— from left, Reps. Adam Schiff, Jerry Nadler and Zoe Lofgren — sit together during the speech.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
The President hands a copy of his speech to Vice President Mike Pence as he walks to the lectern before his speech.
The President hands a copy of his speech to Vice President Mike Pence as he walks to the lectern before his speech.
Doug Mills/Pool/Getty Images
Trump prepares to start his address. He delivered a speech heavy on themes he hopes will fuel his reelection in November.
Trump prepares to start his address. He delivered a speech heavy on themes he hopes will fuel his reelection in November.
Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Republicans rise to applaud the President while Democrats stay seated.
Republicans rise to applaud the President while Democrats stay seated.
Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc./Getty Images
Pelosi reaches out to shake Trump's hand after being handed a copy of the speech. He turned away and left her hanging. The two haven't spoken in months.
Pelosi reaches out to shake Trump's hand after being handed a copy of the speech. He turned away and left her hanging. The two haven't spoken in months.
Toni L. Sandys/The Washington Post via Getty Images
Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell greet members of the House as they walk into the chamber.
Pence and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell greet members of the House as they walk into the chamber.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Retired Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, salutes as Trump acknowledges him and his great-grandson, Iain Lanphier. McGee is 100 years old.
Retired Brig. Gen. Charles McGee, one of the Tuskegee Airmen, salutes as Trump acknowledges him and his great-grandson, Iain Lanphier. McGee is 100 years old.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Trump greets Chief Justice John Roberts, who has recently spent hours in Congress presiding over the President's impeachment trial. Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fstate-of-the-union-2020%2Fh_bc3ed3ca57467d7d5ca4438ae1a4d4c2" target="_blank">were also in attendance.</a>
Trump greets Chief Justice John Roberts, who has recently spent hours in Congress presiding over the President's impeachment trial. Justices Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Elena Kagan were also in attendance.
Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images
Democratic House members — including impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries, bottom — gesture during the speech.
Democratic House members — including impeachment manager Hakeem Jeffries, bottom — gesture during the speech.
Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images
Pelosi remains seated while Trump and Pence applaud during the speech.
Pelosi remains seated while Trump and Pence applaud during the speech.
Patrick Semansky/AP
Amy Williams kisses her husband, Army Sgt. 1st Class Townsend Williams, after he <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fstate-of-the-union-2020%2Fh_609fbe8954fe22a4b1af654cf10a33c9" target="_blank">surprised her and their two children</a> by appearing at the State of the Union. He was home from his fourth deployment to the Middle East.
Amy Williams kisses her husband, Army Sgt. 1st Class Townsend Williams, after he surprised her and their two children by appearing at the State of the Union. He was home from his fourth deployment to the Middle East.
J. Scott Applewhite/AP
Many Democratic women <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fstate-of-the-union-2020%2Fh_6acd6dd3212375951d4b7d38d2acafb2" target="_blank">wore white</a> as they have in recent years for the State of the Union. "Wearing suffragette white is a respectful message of solidarity with women across the country, and a declaration that we will not go back on our hard-earned rights," US Rep. Lois Frankel told CNN last year.
Many Democratic women wore white as they have in recent years for the State of the Union. "Wearing suffragette white is a respectful message of solidarity with women across the country, and a declaration that we will not go back on our hard-earned rights," US Rep. Lois Frankel told CNN last year.
Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images
Kelli Hake cries as she and her son, Gage, are recognized by Trump during his speech. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Hake, Kelli's husband and Gage's dad, was killed in 2008 while serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. The White House said Hake's vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb supplied by Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani. Earlier this year at Trump's direction, Soleimani was killed in an airstrike.
Kelli Hake cries as she and her son, Gage, are recognized by Trump during his speech. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Hake, Kelli's husband and Gage's dad, was killed in 2008 while serving his second tour of duty in Iraq. The White House said Hake's vehicle was hit by a roadside bomb supplied by Iranian military leader Qasem Soleimani. Earlier this year at Trump's direction, Soleimani was killed in an airstrike.
Patrick Semansky/AP
Trump's children applaud their father during the speech. From left are daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner, son Eric, son Donald Jr. and daughter Tiffany.
Trump's children applaud their father during the speech. From left are daughter Ivanka, son-in-law Jared Kushner, son Eric, son Donald Jr. and daughter Tiffany.
Jarrad Henderson/USA Today
US Rep. Jackie Speier leads an "HR3" chant during the speech. Trump urged lawmakers to come up with legislation to lower prescription drug prices, and some Democrats <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fstate-of-the-union-2020%2Fh_47698669281ddf69326acef3ad9d1f80" target="_blank">responded with the chant.</a> HR3, now titled the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, would empower the health and human services secretary to negotiate annually for the best prices on at least 50 costly brand-name drugs and up to 250 medications, including insulin.
US Rep. Jackie Speier leads an "HR3" chant during the speech. Trump urged lawmakers to come up with legislation to lower prescription drug prices, and some Democrats responded with the chant. HR3, now titled the Elijah E. Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, would empower the health and human services secretary to negotiate annually for the best prices on at least 50 costly brand-name drugs and up to 250 medications, including insulin.
Tom Brenner/Reuters
First lady Melania Trump <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2Fpolitics%2Flive-news%2Fstate-of-the-union-2020%2Fh_1d44ca8dec90bc0a68cd012d48820ef2" target="_blank">presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom,</a> the nation's highest civilian honor, to radio personality Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh announced Monday that he is beginning treatment for lung cancer. He is a Republican Party icon and a close ally of the President. Democrats yelled "no" when the President announced the award.
First lady Melania Trump presents the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the nation's highest civilian honor, to radio personality Rush Limbaugh. Limbaugh announced Monday that he is beginning treatment for lung cancer. He is a Republican Party icon and a close ally of the President. Democrats yelled "no" when the President announced the award.
Mario Tama/Getty Images
US Sens. Mitt Romney, left, and Lamar Alexander cross paths before the speech. Romney was one of two Republican senators who joined Democrats in voting to call new witnesses in Trump's impeachment trial. Alexander, a potential swing vote, voted against new witnesses.
US Sens. Mitt Romney, left, and Lamar Alexander cross paths before the speech. Romney was one of two Republican senators who joined Democrats in voting to call new witnesses in Trump's impeachment trial. Alexander, a potential swing vote, voted against new witnesses.
Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images
Trump raises his fist while Pence applauds.
Trump raises his fist while Pence applauds.
Olivier Douliery/AFP/Getty Images

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